Wheel stop



July 10, 1962 s. w. HAYES 3,043,239

WHEEL. STOP Filed Jan. 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W /a l8 INVENTOR.

77/1240 //p/@Z;a (1 57 lfa/IMZIM (2112 4 14 ATTOEA/E Y July 10, 1962 s. w. HAYES 3,043,239

I WHEEL STOP Filed Jan. 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fTAA/LE/ M 14/4/57 /6 BY @6240 /(a lelmawm, fluu m mil/W1 Annals/7.

United States The present invention is directed to a new and improved wheel stop and has for its primary object the provision of a wheel stop with a novel means for locating it in operative position upon the rail.

The invention is particularly adapted for use in a wheel stop of the type adapted to slide along the rail and having wheel engaging structure and with structure having portions extending below the base of the rail into abutting relationship with the tie and ballast. Wheel stops of this character with portions extending below the base of the rail and arranged to slide along the rail under car wheel impact provide a cushion stop for the car wheels because the force of the impact is transmitted to the ties and ballast.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wheel stop which can be readily constructed and is quite self locating and centering when placed upon a rail.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel stop with rail clamping means adapted automatically slidably to clamp the stop upon the rail when the stop is placed upon the rail and, furthermore, to provide a stop in which the clamping means is held in rail clamping position by cam means which mustv be manually moved to a released position When so moved into released position, the clamping means is automatically moved to a position to disengage itself from the rail so that the stop can be readily taken from the rail.

In brief, the wheel stop of the present invention inatent eludes wheel engaging structure such as a central verti cally disposed plate having at its forward end one or more wheel engaging abutments. It includes also structure extending downwardly and outwardly to engage the rail ties and ballast, thereby to provide the cushion type operation referred to above. Stop locating means are provided whereby the stop is clamped and locked on the rail simply by placing the stop on the rail. This means includes a governor plate extending transversely of the rail head to beyond the opposite sides of the head. The extending portions are apertured slidably to receive opposed rail clamping elements including lower clamping jaws, intermediate guiding portions cooperating with the governor plate to effect movement of the clamping jaws between rail engaging and disengaging positions, and upper apertured portions whereby the clamping elements may be loosely carried by a transversely extending cross shaft. The cross shaft is supported by a vertical shaft adapted to engage the rail and to be moved upwardly as the. stop is placed upon the rail and the cross shaft also supports eccentric cam means which are moved into position to prevent movement of the clamping means to rail disengaging position until the cam means are moved to a normal position permitting such movement.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel stop constructed in accordance with the present invention and clamped on a rail;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the stop;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken looking at lee the front end of the stop and as viewed along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

PEG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the stop in condition to be installed upon and clamped to a rail; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

The wheel stop of the present invention, indicated as a whole by reference character 10, includes a wheel abutment constituted primarily by a vertically disposed metal plate 12. The stop includes also bracket structure, indicated by the reference character 14, extending outwardly at opposite sides of the rail and downwardly to below the base of the rail, which is indicated by the reference character 16, and mounted on spaced apart ties 13 in the usual manner. The stop includes also the holding and guiding means 20, constituting the primary feature of the present invention and adapted to be located, when installed upon the rail, at the opposite sides and under sides of the rail head slidably to hold the stop vertically upon the rail and to guide it therealong when it is moved under car Wheel impact.

It should be understood that while only one stop has been illustrated, it is contemplated that two stops will be used in usual installation, one stop for each rail. The stops will also be arranged to abut against a single tie so that both stops will be simultaneously engaged by the wheels of a car.

The primary feature of the present invention, as already indicated, resides in the construction of the holding and guiding means 24 However, before describing it in detail, it may be well to describe the remainder of the stop in order to provide a better understanding of the invention. The abutment 12 may be constructed as described aud claimed in applicants copending application, Serial No. 648,120, filed March 25, 1957. It is preferably made from a single piece of metal plate having a thickness of about one inch. The forward edge of the abutment is constructed and arranged to provide two spaced apart abutments 24 and 26, the former of which is the upper abutment and the latter the lower one. The lower abutment 26 is at the front edge of the plate 12 and quite near the upper surface of the rail 16 while the upper abutment is somewhat to the rear and at the upper end of the abutment plate. The abutments are separated by intermediate arcuate or recessed portion 28 so that a wheel will contact only the lower abutment 26 or both the lower and upper abutments.

The plate 12 is generally triangular in shape. It has a low front vertical edge 30, a short generally horizontal upper edge 32, an inclined straight rear edge 34 and a low rear vertical edge 36. The bottom is generally horizontal but is cut away for the reception of a horizontal rear base plate 49 extending some distance beyond the opposite sides of the rail head and for the reception of a somewhat heavier plate 42 of approximately the same width as plate 40 and forming a part of the guiding and locating means 20 and which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The two plates 40 and 42 abut against each other and the front edge of plate 42 abuts against a vertical portion 44- of the abutment 12 thereby to provide a strong and durable construction.

The force or" the wheel stopping impact is transmitted to the ties and ballast by the bracket structure 14 which, in the main, takes the form of a saddle 48 having legs 56 and 52 straddling the rail 16 and extending downwardly sufficient to abut against a substantial portion of a tie. The bight 54 of the saddle sets upon the top of the rail and is welded to the vertical edge 36 of the abutment 3 plate. The bight is also welded to the cross plate 40 and additional strength and rigidity are provided by the use of the divergent generally triangular plates 56 and 58 welded to the legs 50 and 52, respectively, and to the under side of the plate 40.

The clamping and guiding means 20 will now be described. In the main, it constitutes an assembly of which the governing plate 42 is a part and including also the opposed clam-ping elements 60 movably suspended from a cylindrical cross shaft 62 supported in turn by a vertical rectangular shaft 64 and automatically operating locking cams '66, also movably carried by the cross shaft 62.

The construction and arrangement of the locator assembly is such that when the stop is ready to be installed upon a rail, as shown in FIGS. and 6, the clamping elements 60 are extended so that the stop can be simply dropped onto the rail head. When dropped, the clamping means encircle the rail head and the cams move from the position of FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 4 to hold the clamps in rail head clamping position.

The clamping means 60 include lower generally U- shaped rail head clamping jaws 68 designed relatively loosely to clamp the rail head. It is desired, that the wheel stop he not rigidly mounted upon the rail. The clamping means should relatively loosely fit the largest size of rail so that it can be installed on other rails with ease. Actually, the clamping elements need not contact the rail head. The clamping elements include curved intermediate portions 70 adapted to engage inner guiding surfaces 72 formed by apertures 74 extending outwardly and downwardly through the governor plate 42. The apertures 74 are large enough to permit free movement of the clamping means between their upper and lower positions, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 4, respectively.

The upper ends 76 of the clamping elements are provided with apertures 78 through which the cross shaft 62 freely extends, thereby to give the clamping elements the desired degree of freedom for movement between the clamping and released positions. I r

The cross shaft 62'is secured to the vertical shaft 64,

the latter being mounted for vertical movement in an tion or slot 82 in the abutment plate 12. If desired, the

shaft '62 can be secured as by welding to the vertical shaft. In position for installation, the vertical shaft 64 extends below the governor plate 42, as shown in FIG. 6, and when thest-op is set upon the rail it is moved to the position of FIG. 4, wherein it is at the level of the underside of the governor plate 42. This movement may be in the neighborhood of one inch.

To prepare the stop for installation, the cam means 66 are moved to the position of FIGS. 5 and 6. The cams are provided with apertures 84 whereby they are relatively loosely mounted on the cross shaft. The cams are held from movement lengthwise of the shaft by cotter pins 86 at opposite sides thereof. When thus prepared 1 for installation it will be noted that the radially extending eccentric portions 88 are located above the cross shaft 62. In this position, the cross shaft 62 and vertical shaft 64 are in their lower-most position, as shown in FIG. 6. When the shafts are moved upwardly to the position of FIG. 4, the earns 66 being loose on the cross shaft 62,

move to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 with the eccentric portions '83 underneath the shaft and engaging the upper'end of the governor plate 42. When thus positioned, the clamping means are held in rail head clamping position, as shown in FIG. 4, until the cam means are moved from the position of FIG. 4 to another positiomsuch as that of FIG. 6,'perrnitting vertical movement of the clamping means.

In order to give the clamping means additional strength, the generally U-shaped portions 68 have secured to their outer surfaces a pair of generally J-shaped strengthening ribs 90. Additional strength is given to the locator assembly by the use of small generally triangular strengthening plates or braces 92 at the front of the governor assembly. These braces are welded to the sides of the abutment plate and the upper surfaces of the governor plate. Smaller and generally triangular braces 94 are secured to the plate and the rear portion of the governor plate.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, it will be noted that the wheel stop can be made economically and easily. Furthermore, it is adapted simply to be located upon a rail as by dropping it on the rail. To make the stop ready for installation, the movable parts of the locator assembly, including two shafts and clamping means, are moved to the position of FIG. 6. This is readily accomplished by rotating the cams 66 so that eccentric portions 88 are above the cross shaft. The stop is then set upon a rail. When this is done, the vertical shaft 64 strikes the rail head and is moved upwardly from the position of FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 4. This movement raises the cross shaft 62 and the latter in turn raises clamping elements 6%. .The lower ends of the latter have sufficient weight so that, as they are moved upwardly, they, of themselves, move into clamping position as determined by the cooperative position of the in- 'clined surfaces 72 on the governor plate and the cooperaing surfaces 76 on the clamping elements. At the same time, the lifting of the cross shaft 62 also frees the cam means for movement from the positions of FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 4 wherein the eccentric portions 88 engage the top surface of the governor plate thereby effectively to retain the clamping elements in rail engaging position.

In addition to the simplicity of operation, another advantage of the locator assembly is that it prevents the user from rigidly securing the wheel stop on the rail. If the wheel stop was rigidly secured to the rail, the cushion type of operation which isdesirable could not be obtained. With the present invention, a cushion type of operation is insured.

'VVhile the present invention has been described 'in connection with the illustrated devices, it should be under- .stood that the details thereof are not intended to be limita- "tive of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A wheel stop for installation upon a'rail, including in combination, structure adapted to be placed on the rail, rail clamping means movably mounted relative to said structure for movement between rail clamping and rail releasing positions and normally occupying the latter position when ready for installation, means including a shaft supported on said vertical shaft supporting said clamping means for eifecting movement of the latter to rail clamping position upon seating of the stop on a rail, and means including cam means loosely mounted on said cross shaft normally occupying a position permitting upward movement of said vertical shaft and operable upon said upward movement to prevent movement of said movable portion to a position to release the clamping means.

2. A wheel stop for installation upon a rail including 'in combination, structure adapted to be placed upon the rail and including an upright portion above the rail haw ing wheel abutment means, and means for locating the structure upon the rail including a transverse plate-like member supported from said upright portion above the rail head and extending beyond opposite sides of therail,

- said member being provided with guiding apertures at and portions of the clamping elements extending therethrough being so configured that as the ciampingelements are moved upwardly the jaws more inwardly toward the rail head and as they are moved downwardly they are released from the rail head, a cross shaft loosely receiving the upper ends of said clamping elements, a vertical shaft movably mounted on said upright portion for vertical movement relative to said upright portion and supporting said cross shaft, said shafts having vertical movement relative to said upright portion sufficient to engage and release said clamping elements relative to the rail head, and eccentric cam means loosely mounted on said cross shaft adapted in one position to locate said shafts in position to release the clamping elements and in another position to engage the clamping elements relative to the rail head.

3. A wheel stop for installation upon a rail, including in combination, structure adapted to be placed on the rail, rail clamping means movably mounted relative to said structure for movement between rail clamping and rail releasing positions and normally occupying the latter position when ready for installation, a movable supporting element adapted to abut against the rail and to he moved upwardly relative to said structure upon seating of the stop on the rail, and means interconnecting said element and clamping means for effecting movement of the latter to rail clamping position upon placement of the stop on a rail.

4. A wheel stop for installation upon a rail including in combination, structure adapted to be placed upon the rail and including an upright portion above the rail having wheel abutment means, and means for locating the structure upon the rail including a transverse plate-like member supported from said upright portion above the rail head and extending beyond opposite sides of the rail, said member being provided with guiding apertures at its opposite sides, rail head clamping elements mounted at opposite sides of said structure and including rail head clamping jaws at their lower ends and portions extending above said member through said apertures, said apertures and portions of the clamping elements extending therethrough being so configured that as the clamping elements are moved upwardly the jaws move inwardly toward the rail head and as they are moved downwardly they are released from the rail head, a cross shaft loosely receiving the upper ends of said clamping elements, and a vertical shaft movably mounted on said upright portion having vertical movement relative to said upright portion and supporting said cross shaft, said shafts having vertical 6 movement relative to said upright portion sufficient to engage said clamping elements relative to the rail head when the stop is place on the rail.

5. A wheel stop for installation upon a rail, including in combination, structure adapted to be placed on the rail, rail clamping means movably mounted relative to said structure for movement between rail clamping and rail releasing positions and normally occupying the latter position when ready for installation, a movable supporting element adapted to abut against the rail and to be moved upwardly relative to said structure upon seating of the stop on the rail, means interconnecting said element and clamping means for effecting movement of the latter to rail clamping position upon seating of the stop on a rail, and means including structure mounted upon said supporting element normally occupying a position permitting upward movement of said movable element and operable upon upward movement of the latter to prevent its downward movement to a position to release the clamping means.

6. A wheel stop for installation upon a rail, including in combination, structure adapted to be placed on the rail, rail clamping means movably mounted relative to said structure for movement between rail clamping and rail releasing positions and normally occupying the latter position when ready for installation, means including a movable supporting element adapted to abut against the rail and to be moved upwardly relative to said structure upon seating of the stop on the rail and means interconnecting said element and clamping means for effecting movement of the latter to rail clamping position upon seating of the stop on a rail, and means including eccentric cam means loosely carried on said supporting element normally occupying a position permitting upward movement of said movable element and automatically operable upon upward movement of said element to prevent downward movement of said element to a position to release the clamping means.

FOREIGN PATENTS 476,654 Canada Sept. 4, 1951 

